Published 1:00 am, Tuesday, November 16, 2004

It's not because the girls in the course, ages 11 to 14, don't like boys.

Instructors thought the girls would get more out of the innovative course and feel more comfortable surrounded by other girls.

"It's very important to have a comfortable social group to express challenges, where you feel comfortable," said
Rachel Kopta
, one of the instructors.

Boys also aren't allowed because they might make the girls self-conscious while they backpack in the rain, caked in mud, Kopta said.

"The focus becomes distracted on serious issues that need to be addressed,'' said
Eva Rupert
, an instructor at Great Hollow who developed the program this summer.

She hopes it will be an ongoing program for area girls.

Girls learn to weave, macramé, backpack, camp and keep a journal.

Last week, the girls faced their fear of heights as they climbed up a wooden pole using ropes.

"It's designed to challenge you and face your fears," Rupert said.

As
Shiemma Green
, 13, of Danbury, climbed up a pole, she was cheered by her friends below. Attached to safety ropes, she stopped about halfway and shook her head.

"Why do you say no?" asked Rupert. "Take that next step."

"Come on Shiemma," said
Shannon DeWitt
, 14, of Danbury, encouraging her friend to keep climbing.

Shiemma faced her fear and continued up as the girls cheered. After a few more attempts at getting higher up the pole, she stopped and started to fall off before being hoisted to the ground.

Rupert said the girls have become stronger since the course began. "When you are faced with adversity, that's when you find out who you really are," Rupert said. "I just feel like the girls are somewhat stronger than they know at this age. They support each other in a way they wouldn't with guys.

"They would support each other differently, not in the same ways," Rupert said.

When it was Shannon's turn to climb the pole, she went quickly, although she was fearful as she walked across a wobbly log, high above her friends on the ground below.

More challenging to Shannon was the weeklong backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trial that the girls in the goddess program took this summer. They carried their supplies, food and clothing on their backs.

"To make it worse, it rained. It was tough," Shannon said. "I learned you could do anything if you put your mind to it."

Crystal Comstock, 13, of Danbury, said the experience was quite a challenge.

"Going over the rocks with a sore knee that day" was difficult, Crystal said.

Rebekah Sutter
, 12, of Danbury, said going up the mountain was hard, especially as she carried nearly 30 pounds on her back.

Then it started raining and lightning crashed. Rebekah slipped and almost fell coming down the mountain.